Luke Update 2.26.10

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Bad mom. Bad, bad, mom. I promised and didn’t deliver on the Luke update. Here goes on the latest in Luke’s life. He’s been busy, so grab a cup of joe.

RSV. Ick.He got RSV and was officially diagnosed by our pediatrician on February 8. That was some fun times. Luckily, the combination of swing sleeping (in the off mode), bulb syringe sucking, serious handwashing, semi-quarantining and active playtiming kept him from getting a bad case. The bad news is that we now have to break him from sleeping in the swing and get him back to laying down for snoozeville. This is where I’m hoping that our nine years and four kids of parenting experience will kick in with a miracle. I’ll keep you posted.

Developmental MilestonesLast Thursday, we had his developmental assessment at Dell Children’s. Bottom line is he passed with flying colors. We assessed six different areas. He tested at the four month level for four areas and the five month level for two areas. The nurse was using his adjusted age (4 months instead of 5), so he did great. As a good friend says, “His elevator is working. And when that works, you’ve hit a major milestone.” Yes, the brain is a’ working. And we are so thankful I can’t even express it in words. The biggies are: smiling, laughing, cooing, rolling over, starting to babble, grasping toys, transferring toys from hand to hand, great head control, tracking objects 180-degrees and turning to familiar voices/sounds.

CardiologyOn Tuesday, we had his five-month check-up with Dr. Johnson. He’s such a rockstar. Well, Luke is a given, but I’m talking about Dr. J. He’s a former cheerleader from Creighton, a Catholic dad of five and a really personable and knowledgable doctor. The highlights are that Luke’s VSD (the hole in his heart) appears to be getting smaller, the pressure on his right side of the heart is in the normal range and he continues to gain weight. Those are all excellent signs and definite milestones pointing toward progress. We are continuing to watch the left side of his heart, which is slightly enlarged, but Dr. J isn’t concerned about the size just yet. We go back this summer (can I hear a hoo-rah?) for another echo and check-up.

ShotsHe got his belated four-month shots this morning and took them like a champ. I nursed while they poked, he let out a big squeal and then latched back on and was super happy by the time we left. He’s been that way ever since. I believe that happy nature must be God’s gift to us through all of this.

Parking LotIn the miscellaneous category, we had a small scare yesterday. Two of Luke’s diapers had blood in his stool. Amazingly, Scott and I did not freak out. That is a definite milestone for us, as parents. We calmly thought about our next step and put in a call to the pediatrician’s nurse and Luke’s surgeon. Both assured us that he was probably ok and to keep watching his diapers. Today, all seems to be well, even with the shots.

He continues to make amazing progress and impress every single one of his doctors and nurses with his developmental milestones. Folks, I don’t think I can emphasize enough what a HUGE accomplishment it is that he “acts” in may ways like other babies. With all the nutso stuff going on in that cute, little, peanut body of his, he still keeps plugging forward. That’s nothing short of miraculous in my book.

We’re hunkering down for surgery #4 (and final – did you hear that God? FINAL!) in April for his spinal cord. My job is to get him to 12 or 13 pounds. And, I can’t believe I didn’t even share the best news of the post until the end…

Luke is a whooping 10lbs. 2oz.!!!! That means that he’s just 4.6 oz. shy of tripling his birth weight. That makes a nursing momma proud 🙂

Thanks for the important updates on Mr Miracle Baby Luke:) Wish I could have gotten with you all last week in Austin but I know you are just too too busy so I didnt want to bother you. Kiss the little Champ & tell him that's from the woman that use to kiss on his dad 🙂 Love to you all!!!

HOWDY and welcome to life at Team Whitaker where I share life as it happens: big families, carpool, Catholicism,Texas Aggies, prematurity, DIY/organizing projects, sanity checks and the occasional glass of wine at 10am. You get real Kathryn. Unedited, honest and a little sassy. It's a Texas-sized honor to have you here! Contact me at [email protected]{Read More}